A framework to characterize multi-actor sustainability-oriented innovations in the agri-food context

Sustainability oriented innovation (SOIs) are multi-faceted types of innovation which can address the challenges of the agri-food industry, tapping knowledge into a diverse set of stakeholders with their areas of expertise. There is currently a lack of conceptualization of all the relevant aspects to discriminate among different SOIs, also in terms of type of stakeholders involved and their roles in the innovation development process. We propose a conceptual framework based on three levels of analysis: process, value network and maturity of the innovation system to guide the characterization of SOIs. We obtain confirmatory evidence from 11 pilot projects in Europe